Prostaglandin synthesis and intermediates for use therein

ABSTRACT

Fused cyclopentane—4-substituted 3,5-dioxalane lactone compounds useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of prostaglandin analogs are provided. The compounds have the formula A: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R represents an aryl group such as p-methoxyphenyl. 
     This compound can be reacted with a lower alkyl aluminum compound to open the dioxalane ring and reduce the lactone to lactol, without over-reducing to diol. The resulting compound can be functionalized to insert chemical side groups of target prostaglandins, adding the required α-side chain and then the required ω-side chain sequentially and independently of each other. The compounds and process are particularly suitable for preparing lubiprostone.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to prostaglandin analogs and their synthesis.More particularly, it relates to a novel, simplified synthesis ofprostaglandin analogs, and novel chemical compounds useful asintermediates in such synthesis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Prostaglandins (PGs) are organic carboxylic acids, namely cyclopentanescarrying two side chain substituents, typically linear C6-C8 sidechains, bonded to adjacent positions on the cyclopentane nucleus. One ofthe side chains, the α-side chain, carries a terminal carboxylic acidgroup. Many are natural products found in mammalian organs and tissues(primary PGs), and exhibit a variety of physiological activities.Primary PGs generally have a prostanoic acid skeleton, which forms thebasis of the nomenclature: α

A significant number of synthetic PG analogs have been made and found tohave useful pharmacological properties. These may have modifiedskeletons, and substituted and unsaturated side chains. PGs arecharacterized by a hydroxyl (or ketone) substituent on the cyclopentanenucleus, position 9.

Prostaglandin analogs are difficult to synthesize. Complications arisebecause of the requirements of the end products to have severalfunctional groups and two side chains of significant size andcomplexity. Stereospecificity is commonly required, for substituentgroups and for bonds in the core. Since the products are intended forpharmaceutical use, the range of industrially acceptable reagents,solvents, catalysts, etc. which can be used in their synthesis islimited to those having pharmaceutical industry acceptability.

A common starting material for PG analog synthesis is the commerciallyavailable Corey alcohol benzoate, of formula:

To convert this to a synthetic PG analog, many protection,functionalization, de-protection, etc. steps are required to form thedesired side chains. U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,605 Ueno, issued Oct. 12, 1993,reports several PG syntheses starting from Corey alcohol which involveapproximately fifteen steps. Inevitably, such a multi-step process istime consuming and expensive to conduct, and results in relatively lowoverall yield of final product.

An example of a synthetic prostaglandin analog of specific interest islubiprostone, reported to be a solid crystalline compound of formula:

but also, at least in solution, having a mono-cyclic structural isomericform of formula:

the two isomeric compounds being inter-convertible so that both formsare present in admixture in solution.

Lubiprostone is marketed as “Amitiza”, for use in treatment of chronicidiopathic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and post-operativeileus. The synthesis of lubiprostone presents significant technicalchallenge because of the chemical complexity of the fluorine containingsubstituent chain at the 12-position. Known methods for its synthesissuffer from the aforementioned disadvantages, namely a multi-step(typically 15-step) synthesis from Corey alcohol with consequent lowyields of final product and time consuming nature of the process.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel syntheticmethod for preparing PG analogs, in fewer steps and in improved overallyield.

It is a further object to provide novel chemical compounds useful in thesynthesis of PG analogs.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a novelsynthesis of lubiprostone, starting from commercially available Coreyalcohol, and novel forms and compositions of lubiprostone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One significant aspect of the present invention is a small class ofnovel chemical compounds comprising a cyclopentane nucleus fused at its4,5 position with a 4-substituted 3,5-dioxalane ring, and fused at its3a,6a-position with a lactone ring. The compounds have the formula:

where R represents an aryl group, preferably a substituted phenyl groupsuch as p-methoxyphenyl (PMP). Subsequent reaction of a compound offormula A with a lower alkyl-aluminum compound such as di-isobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL) under properly selected conditions causes ringopening of the dioxalane at a specific position, as well as reduction ofthe lactone to lactol without over-reducing the lactol ring structure toa diol. The product of the ring opening reaction has a hydroxymethylgroup at position 1 on the cyclopentane nucleus, ready for chemicalexpansion to provide the ω-chain of the selected target PG analog, and aprotected hydroxyl group at position 2. In subsequent steps, the lactolring can be opened chemically, and expanded to form the α-chain of thetarget compound, with the residue of the lactol ring forming the basisfor the eventual 9-hydroxy or 9-keto group of the target PG analog. Theformula of this ring-opened product B may be represented as follows:

It is totally unexpected that this reaction should take place withoutover-reducing the lactone ring. One would have predicted formation of acomplex mixture of different reduction products, with such a pluralityof potentially reducible groups and sites being subject to such apowerful reducing agent as DIBAL. Instead, by selection of appropriatereaction conditions, a high degree of selectivity to form product B isachieved. These conditions include selection of a reaction solvent whichis a good solvent for the cyclopentane compound, and which is a polar,non-co-ordinating solvent that permits, and does not interfere with,co-ordination of the aluminum complex with the available oxygen of thering structure, to the substantial exclusion of co-ordination of thealuminum to the solvent itself; and temperatures appropriate to maintainthe stability of the organo-aluminum compound. Suitable such solventsinclude methylene chloride, chlorobenzene, chloroform, toluene andmixtures thereof, and similar polar hydrocarbons, with methylenechloride being most preferred. Preferably low temperatures, below 0° C.and most preferably in the −40-−50° C. range.

Thus according to a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided in one embodiment a fused cyclopentane—4-substituted3,5-dioxalane lactone compound useful as an intermediate in thesynthesis of prostaglandin analogs, the compound having the formula A:

wherein R represents a lower alkoxy substituted phenyl group.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a process of preparing asubstituted cyclopentane lactone compound of formula B, which comprisessubjecting a compound of formula A as defined above to selective ringopening reduction with a lower alkyl-aluminum reducing agent in solutionin a polar, non-coordinating solvent at a temperature at which thereducing agent is stable.

A further aspect of the present invention provides solid, highlycrystalline lubiprostone having the bicyclic structure:

essentially or completely free of monocyclic structural isomer, having atriclinic crystal system, unit cell dimensions (Angstroms) a=9.0083,b=10.767, c=12.375, α=78.544, β=69.580 and γ=77.285; and having a powderX-ray diffraction pattern exhibiting its four strongest intensity peaksat 2θ angles of approximately 14.5, 17.3, 19.7 and 23.3; the unit cellcomprising two crystallographically independent enantiomorphicmolecules.

BRIEF REFERENCE TO THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 of accompanying drawings illustrates the overall reaction schemeembodying the present invention, in the preparation of lubiprostone, apreferred embodiment thereof.

FIG. 2 is a powder X-ray diffraction pattern of Polymorph A of thelubiprostone product (AL293A, LUBIPROSTONE, 2-VR-032-3) preparedaccording to Example 1 described below.

FIG. 3 is a powder X-ray diffraction pattern of Polymorph B of thelubiprostone product (AL294, LUBIPROSTONE, 2-VR-074-1) preparedaccording to Example 1 described below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying drawing FIG. 1, the preferred synthesisaccording to the invention starts with Corey alcohol benzoate 10, whichis commercially available. Reaction of this with sodium methoxide inmethanol (room temperature, 1.5 hours) produces Corey lactone diol 12 inhigh yield (e.g. 97%) ready for further reaction.

A cyclopentane-lactone-dioxalane fused compound 16, member of the classof compounds A of the present invention, is prepared by reacting Coreylactone diol 12 with anisaldehyde dimethyl acetal, compound 14, in thepresence of trace amounts of acid. This reaction suitably takes placeunder reflux, over a period of, for example 3 hours. A dioxalane ringsubstituted at ring position 2 with p-methoxyphenyl (PMP) forms in high(85-90%) yield. In the next step, according to this preferred embodimentof the process, compound 16 is reacted with DIBAL, in solution inmethylene chloride and toluene, and at a low temperature (e.g. −45° C.)at which DIBAL is stable. Ring opening of the dioxalane at a specificposition occurs, without over-reduction of the lactone structure todiol, thereby producing compound 18, a representative of class Breferred to above, in a yield in excess of 80%. Compound 18 has ahydroxymethyl group at position 1 on the cyclopentane nucleus, ready forchemical expansion to provide the w-chain of the selected target PGanalog, and a hydroxyl group protected with p-methoxy benzyl at position2.

Side chain expansion and derivatization can now take place usingcompound 18, advantageously expanding one side chain to that required inthe target prostaglandin analog first, and subsequently expanding thesecond one to the target. Thus in the preferred embodiment wherelubiprostone is the target compound, the α-chain is formed first. Thisis a linear heptanoic acid chain, which after formation merely needssimple protection of its terminal carboxylic acid group to conferstability and prevent its interference with other reactions. The w-chainof lubiprostone is more chemically complex, involving a hemi-acetal anda di-fluorinated side chain. Introducing this chain second reduces thechances of fluorinated side chain losses in subsequent reactions, as thenumber of such reactions is reduced, the α-chain being already formed.

The first step in the α-chain expansion is reaction of compound 18 withbutane-1-carboxylic acid—triphenylphosphine bromide and sodiumhexamethyl disilazane to cause opening of the lactone ring andcondensation thereof to form a compound 20. This reaction suitably takesplace in toluene solvent and at a temperature of −20 to −30° C., over aperiod of 2-3 hours. A double bond forms at position 5,6 of the sidechain. Stereospecificity of the original Corey alcohol is retained. Thisreaction is analogous to that conducted in known prostaglandin synthesisprocess, although according to the invention it is applied to novelreagents and produces novel intermediates. The next step is theprotection of the terminal carboxylic acid group, and this is done inknown manner, by reaction of compound 20 with benzyl bromide (BnBr) inthe presence of potassium carbonate at room temperature in acetonesolvent, in two steps, over 18 hours, producing protected acid compound22. A 55-65% yield is typically obtained in this step.

Next, a double oxidation of hydroxyl groups to keto and aldehyde groupsis conducted. Protected compound 22 is oxidized with pyridine-sulfurtrioxide in the presence of di-isopropylethylamine and in DMSO-methylenechloride solvent. The result is oxidation of the primary alcohol sidechain group to aldehyde, and oxidation of the secondary, nuclear alcoholgroup to a keto functionality, producing compound 24.

Now the fluorinated side chain required in lubiprostone can start to beintroduced. Thus the next step in the process is the reaction ofcompound 24 with dimethyl-(2-oxo-3,3-difluoroheptyl)phosphonate(compound 26), in the presence of sodium hydride and dimethoxyethane(DME), for example at 50 to 70° over 18 hours. The result is compound28, in 60-70% yield.

The final reactions in lubiprostone synthesis are the hydrogenation ofthe double bonds in compound 28, ((Z)-benzyl7-((1R,2R,3R)-2-((E)-4,4-difluoro-3-oxooct-1-enyl)-3-(4-methoxybenzyloxy)-5-oxocyclopentyl)hept-5-enoatewhich is itself a novel, inventive compound and a feature of the presentinvention, and the deprotection thereof to remove the carboxylic acidprotectant from the α-chain terminus, and the removal of thep-methoxybenzyl (OPMB) protectant to form the desired hemi-acetal ring.This is done in a single step, by hydrogenation using hydrogen overpalladium/carbon catalyst in isopropanol medium, at room temperatureover, e.g., 2 hours. This process is another significant feature of thepresent invention. The product is lubiprostone, compound 30, in a 75-80%yield for this step.

Alternatively, these final reactions can be conducted by hydrogenationusing hydrogen over palladium/carbon catalyst in ethanol/isopropanolmixed medium. The product can be dissolved in isopropyl acetate andcrystallized by addition of heptane to this solution.

The illustrated process is capable of producing lubiprostone from Coreyalcohol in eight steps at an overall yield in excess of 15%, which ismost acceptable in syntheses of this type and is significantly higherthan that achieved with prior art processes. Most of the reagents usedare relatively inexpensive, with the possible exception of dimethyl2-oxo-3,3-difluoroheptyl phosphonate (compound 26). This is a knowncompound, preparable from ethyl 2-oxo-hexanoate by reaction with ethyl2,2-difluorohexanoate in the following reaction scheme:

Specific preferred embodiments of the present invention is furtherdescribed, for illustrative purposes, in the following specificexperimental examples.

Example 1

Corey Lactone Diol 12.

To a suspension of 10 (15 g, 54 mmol, 1 equiv) in methanol (75 mL) wasadded sodium methoxide (25% wt in methanol, 1.2 mL, 5.4 mmol, 0.1equiv). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h and thenhydrochloric acid solution (4 M in dioxane, approximately 1 mL) wasadded until the pH was 3-4. The solution was stirred at room temperaturefor 10 min and then concentrated to dryness under vacuum on a rotaryevaporator. The resulting white solid was suspended in methyl tert-butylether (150 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The solid wasfiltered, washed with methyl tert-butyl ether, and dried under vacuumfor 10 min to afford 9.1 g of 12 (97%) as a white solid.

Protected Diol 16.

To a suspension of 12 (5.0 g, 29 mmol, 1 equiv) in toluene (100 mL) wasadded anisaldehyde dimethyl acetal (14) (7.4 mL, 44 mmol, 1.5 equiv) andp-methoxy benzoic acid (44 mg, 0.29 mmol, 0.01 equiv). A condenser and aDean-Stark apparatus were attached and the mixture was heated at 120° C.for 3 h while removing methanol by the Dean-Stark apparatus(approximately 2 mL). The reaction mixture was removed from the oil bathand stirred at room temperature for 15 min. Methyl tert-butyl ether (100mL) was added and the mixture was cooled in an ice bath for 45 min. Theresulting suspension was filtered, washed with methyl tert-butyl ether,and dried under vacuum for 10 min to afford 7.3 g of 16 (87%) as a whitesolid.

Lactol 18.

A solution of 16 (14 g, 50 mmol, 1 equiv) in dichloromethane (500 mL) ina round-bottom flask containing a dropping funnel was flushed with N₂for 5 min. The solution was cooled to −45° C. and diisobutylaluminumhydride (1 M in toluene, 150 mL, 150 mmol, 3 equiv) was added dropwise.The mixture was stirred for 1 hour and 20 min at −45° C. Buffer solutionpH 7 (21 mL) was added dropwise and the solution was warmed to roomtemperature over 2 h. The suspension was filtered and washed withdichloromethane. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness under vacuumon a rotary evaporator to afford 13 g of 18 as a yellow oil (88% yield)which was used directly in the next step.

Diol 20.

To a suspension of (4-carboxybutyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (33 g,75 mmol, 2 equiv) in toluene (220 mL) was added sodium hexamethyldisilazane (1 M in tetrahydrofuran, 262 mL, 262 mmol, 7 equiv). Themixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and then cooled to −25°C. Compound 18 in tetrahydrofuran (60 mL) was added dropwise and thenwarmed to room temperature over 4 h. Water (200 mL) was added and theorganic layer was separated and extracted with water (2×50 mL). Theaqueous washings were combined and 20% aqueous citric acid solution (125mL) was added. The suspension was extracted with dichloromethane (4×100mL). The organics were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered,and concentrated to dryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator toafford a yellow oil containing 20. The oil was dissolved in acetone (433mL) and potassium carbonate (11 g, 77 mmol, 2 equiv) and benzyl bromide(9.1 mL, 77 mmol, 2 equiv) were added. The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 18 h, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under vacuumon a rotary evaporator. The crude oil was purified by columnchromatography using 50% ethyl acetate/hexanes as eluant to afford 11 gof 22 as a yellow oil (64%).

Aldehyde 24.

A solution of 22 (3.5 g, 7.4 mmol, 1 equiv) and dimethyl sulfoxide (10.5mL) in dichloromethane (70 mL) was cooled to −15° C. Diisopropylethylamine (4.3 mL, 45 mmol, 6 equiv) was added followed by the additionof a solution of sulfur trioxide pyridine complex (7.1 g, 45 mmol, 6equiv) in dimethyl sulfoxide (21 mL). The mixture was stirred at −15° C.for 1 h and was then diluted with 20% aqueous citric acid solution (20mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (3×20 mL) andthe organics were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, andconcentrated to dryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator. The crudeoil was purified by column chromatography using 20-40% ethylacetate/hexanes as a gradient eluant to afford 3.1 g of 24 as a yellowoil (90%).

Protected Unsaturated Lubiprostone 28.

A suspension of sodium hydride (60% dispersion in oil, 2.1 g, 53 mmol,2.5 equiv) in tetrahydrofuran (500 mL) was added dropwise a solution of26 (14 g, 53 mmol, 2.5 equiv) in tetrahydrofuran (165 mL). The mixturewas stirred for 1 h at room temperature. A solution of 24 (9.9 g, 21mmol, 1 equiv) in tetrahydrofuran (165 mL) was added dropwise. Themixture was then heated with stirring at 58° C. for 2 days. The mixturewas cooled to room temperature and saturated aqueous ammonium chloride(200 mL) was added followed by water (200 mL). The aqueous layer wasseparated and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×150 mL). The organics werecombined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated todryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator. The crude oil was purifiedby column chromatography using 10-25% ethyl acetate/hexanes as agradient eluant followed by a second column chromatography using 20%ethyl acetate/hexanes as to afford 7.8 g of 28 as a yellow oil (61%).

Lubiprostone.

A mixture of 28 (8.0 g, 13 mmol, 1 equiv) and 5% palladium on carbon(containing 54.02% water, 5.1 g, 1.3 mmol, 0.1 equiv) in isopropanol(300 mL) was stirred under an atmosphere of H₂ (g) in a Parrhydrogenator at 40 psi for 2 h. The solution was then filtered throughCelite™ and washed with methyl tert-butyl ether. The filtrate wasconcentrated to dryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator and theresulting yellow oil was purified by a silica plug by first eluting withdichloromethane to remove impurities and then with methyl tert-butylether to remove the product. The methyl tert-butyl ether filtrate wasconcentrated to dryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator to afford ayellow oil that was dried under vacuum for 3 h. The resulting oil wasdissolved in dichloromethane (5 mL) with heating and a 1:1 solution ofhexanes:petroleum ether (50 mL) was added. The solution was placed in anice bath and stirred vigorously. Methyl tert-butyl ether (1 mL) wasadded and the product began precipitating out of solution. The mixturewas stirred for 2 h, filtered, and washed with a solution of 2%dichloromethane in 1:1 mixture hexanes:petroleum ether to afford 4.1 gof Lubiprostone (78%) as a white solid, identified as polymorph B (Table2).

Alternatively, the resulting oil following the silica plug can becrystallized by dissolving the oil in isopropyl acetate (0.80 partsbased on mass of crude oil) and adding heptane (4.2 parts based on massof crude oil) dropwise and further stirring for 18 h at roomtemperature. The resulting suspension was filtered and washed forwardwith isopropyl acetate/heptane (5:95 v/v, 3 parts based on mass of crudeoil) to afford Lubiprostone (70%) as a white solid with polymorph A(Table 1). The resulting solid can be recrystallized by by dissolvingthe oil in isopropyl acetate (0.80 parts based on mass of crude oil) andadding heptane (4.2 parts based on mass of crude oil) dropwise andfurther stirring for 18 h at room temperature. The resulting suspensionwas filtered and washed forward with isopropyl acetate/heptane (5:95v/v, 3 parts based on mass of crude oil) to afford Lubiprostone (50-55%)as a white solid, identified as polymorph B (Table 2).

TABLE 1 Polymorph A Values 2-Theta Intensity I/I_(o) (%) 6.60 921 10013.36 394 43 15.76 484 53 19.12 917 100 20.44 418 45 21.56 264 29

TABLE 2 Polymorph B Values 2-Theta Intensity I/I_(o) (%) 7.72 1021 3510.72 1342 46 14.64 1118 39 17.12 2890 100 19.72 1871 65 23.40 982 34

Ethyl 2,2-Difluorohexanoate.

To a 0° C. solution of ethyl 2-oxohexanoate (6.3 g, 40 mmol, 1 equiv) indichloromethane (125 mL) was added dropwise (diethylamino)sulfurtrifluoride (6.3 mL, 48 mmol, 1.2 equiv). The solution was warmed toroom temperature over 4 h. Saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (100 mL)was slowly added. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted withdichloromethane (3×50 mL). The organics were combined, dried over sodiumsulfate, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under vacuum on a rotaryevaporator to afford 6.5 g of ethyl 2,2-difluorohexanoate (91%) as ayellow oil.

Dimethyl-(2-oxo-3,3-difluoroheptyl)phosphonate 26.

A solution of dimethyl methylphosphonoate (6.5 g, 80 mmol, 2.2 equiv) intetrahydrofuran (100 mL) was cooled to −78° C. and n-butyllithium (2.5 Min hexanes, 14 mL, 36 mmol, 1 equiv) was added dropwise. The solutionwas stirred at −78° C. for 30 min and ethyl 2,2-difluorohexanoate (6.5g, 36 mmol, 1 equiv) was added dropwise. The solution was stirred at−78° C. for 1 h and warmed to 0° C. over 1 h. Pentane (100 mL) was addedfollowed by the dropwise addition of 2M H₂SO₄ to pH=6. The aqueous layerwas separated and extracted with pentane (3×15 mL). The organics werecombined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated todryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator. The crude oil was purifiedby column chromatography using methyl tert-butyl ether as eluant toafford 4.1 g of 26 as a yellow oil (44%).

Crystallographic Analysis

The sample of lubiprostone compound 30 prepared as described above wassubjected to X-ray analysis to determine crystal structure. First, thesample was examined under an optical microscope. Large (5-12 mm) whiteneedles with rough surfaces were observed. A needle was cut and a clearsection (0.35×0.20×0.15 mm³) from the interior was chosen for X-rayanalysis after screening on a cross-polarized microscope. The crystalwas picked up on an MiTeGen mount and centred on the Bruker Smart Apex2Mo diffractometer. Routine data collection using 60s frames gave data ofsufficient quality (1.0 Å resolution) to solve and refine the structure.Non-hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically. Hydrogen atoms bound tocarbon atoms were placed in calculated positions. Hydrogen atoms boundto oxygen atoms were found in the electron density difference map andrefined isotropically. An ideal powder pattern was calculated from thesingle crystal data, i.e. from atomic co-ordinates using Mercury (CCDC).This pattern is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Two crystallographically independent molecules, enantiomorphs, werefound in the unit cell. Crystal data from one of these revealed atriclinic crystal system, with unit cell dimensions (Angstroms)a=9.0083. b=10.767, c=12.375, α=78.544, β=69.580 and γ=77.285; andhaving a powder X-ray diffraction pattern exhibiting its four strongestintensity peaks at 2θ angles of approximately 14.5, 17.3, 19.7 and 23.3.The unit cell volume was 1096.4 Å³, the calculated density 1.183 Mg/m³,and the crystal size 0.35×0.20×0.15 mm³. Data was collected over a thetarange of 1.77 to 20.81°

Example 2

Protected lubiprostol compound 28, prepared as described in Example 1,was deprotected by hydrogenation in mixed ethanol/2-propanol, andcrystallized from isopropyl acetate.

To a thick walled clear Pyrex Reaction Bottle was added under a flow ofnitrogen palladium on carbon (10% wt on carbon, 50% wt in water, 1.07 g,0.1 equiv, 0.503 mmol). Ethanol/2-propanol (1:4 v/v, 18 mL, 6 parts) wasadded under a flow of nitrogen. A mixture of compound 28 (3 g, 5.03mmol, 1 equiv) in ethanol/2-propanol (1:4 v/v, 51 mL, 17 parts) wasadded under a flow of nitrogen. The flask was rinsed withethanol/2-propanol (1:4 v/v, 6 mL, 2 parts). The mixture was shaken in aParr shaker at 40 psi at room temperature for 24 h. The mixture waspurged with nitrogen, filtered through Celite (15 g, 5 parts), andwashed with ethanol/2-propanol (1:4 v/v, 75 mL, 25 parts). The solutionwas concentrated to dryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator at 45°C. The resulting yellow oil was dissolved in dichloromethane (6 mL, 2parts), loaded onto a silica plug (15 g, 5 parts) (which is conditionedwith dichloromethane), and eluted with dichloromethane (60 mL, 20 parts)The collection flask was changed and the silica plug was eluted withisopropyl acetate (90 mL, 30 parts). The solution was concentrated todryness under vacuum on a rotary evaporator at 45° C. to afford 2 g oflubiprostol as a yellow oil. The product was recrystallized bydissolving the oil in isopropyl acetate (3.4 mL, 1.12 parts) and addingheptane (17.6 mL, 5.88 parts) dropwise and further stirring for 2 hours.The resulting suspension was filtered and washed with iropropylacetate/heptane (5:95 v/v, 3 parts) to afford 1.04 g of lubiprostolcompound 30 as a white solid (53% yield).

What is claimed is:
 1. A fused cyclopentane—4-substituted 3,5-dioxalanelactone compound useful as an intermediate in the synthesis ofprostaglandin analogs, the compound having the formula A:

wherein R represents an aryl group.
 2. Compound A according to claim 1wherein R represents a substituted phenyl group.
 3. Compound A accordingto claim 1 wherein R represents p-methoxyphenyl
 4. A substitutedcyclopentane lactone compound useful as an intermediate in the synthesisof prostaglandin analogs, the compound having the formula B:

wherein R′ represents a lower alkoxy substituted benzyl group. 5.Compound B according to claim 4 wherein R′ represents p-methoxybenzyl.6. Compound 28 ((Z)-benzyl7-((1R,2R,3R)-2-((E)-4,4-difluoro-3-oxooct-1-enyl)-3-(4-methoxybenzyloxy)-5-oxocyclopentyl)hept-5-enoate)of formula:


7. A process of preparing lubiprostone, of formula:

which comprises hydrogenating (Z)-benzyl7-((1R,2R,3R)-2-((E)-4,4-difluoro-3-oxooct-1-enyl)-3-(4-methoxybenzyloxy)-5-oxocyclopentyl)hept-5-enoatewith hydrogen over a palladium catalyst in solution, wherein saidreaction is conducted at room temperature in solution inethanol/isopropanol, solid product so obtained is dissolved in isopropylacetate, crystallized by addition of heptane to the solution, and solid,crystalline lubiprostone recovered.